Miller column: Pershey loved Southwest, school loved him

Hanging on a wall inside the gym at Southwest High School is a picture of the Stallions’ 2012 football team, commemorating a squad that won its fourth state championship in program history.

Chris Miller-Prep Sports Writer

Hanging on a wall inside the gym at Southwest High School is a picture of the Stallions’ 2012 football team, commemorating a squad that won its fourth state championship in program history.

That picture is a lasting image of a team that had only one goal, which was to bring a title back to The Corral.

Leading that victorious team was Shak Pershey, a special player, but more importantly a special person within the Southwest community.

And like last season’s Stallions, Pershey will never be forgotten.

His memory will last a lifetime at Southwest following his drowning death Thursday night at North Topsail Beach. Pershey was 19.

He was a great football player and a big reason why Southwest won the championship last December. Pershey played quarterback and safety for coach Phil Padgett’s Stallions. His talents impressed his coaches, teammates, fans and those on opposing teams.

That was especially true after Pershey rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in Southwest’s 44-34 win over Swain County in the NCHSAA 1-AA championship game in Raleigh.

“The head coach of Swain County, Neil Blankenship, called me this morning after he found out and he said ‘Coach, y’all wouldn’t have won that ball game without him,’” Padgett said. “That’s how much respect he had for him. He carried us and … he was not going to be denied.”

Pershey ended his senior season as The Daily News player of the year after he threw for 1,149 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 929 yards and 18 more scores. Pershey also had five interceptions and had two punt returns and a kickoff return for touchdowns.

But the Southwest community is not hurting right now because of the loss of just a football player. The tight-knit group hurts because it lost a person it loved so much and someone who loved his community back.

“I just remembered Shak had a great smile and had a great attitude,” Principal Tim Foster said. “He was a kid everybody loved and adored and he gave it right back to everybody else. I think Shak was a guy who just got along with everybody. The kids gravitated toward him.”

Under the Friday night lights, Pershey meant business. He felt it was an honor playing football for Southwest and he took winning seriously. He loved being a Stallion.

Off the field, Pershey was personable. His smile could light up a dark sky.

“He was a great football player, but that was not the best part of him. He was a great kid,” Padgett said. “He was one of those kids you always wanted to be around. He was probably one of the most popular kids at school.

“He wasn’t a clown, but he did joke around. He had that sense of humor that’s hard to describe. It was a little sarcasm.”

Pershey was scheduled to graduate with his class on June 11. He had been accepted to Chowan University and was going to play college football.

He was going to continue to make Southwest and his family proud.

And family was important to Pershey.

Over the last two years, Pershey spent time in Oceanside, Calif., to be with his family. His Marine father was stationed in California.

Pershey left Southwest for California late in his junior season with the Stallions in 2011. He returned home in January of 2012, happy to be reunited with his friends, coaches and teammates.

He was back with his brothers. They all then had the same goal of winning a state title.

“I was thrilled when he came back because he was a great kid who had been in our program and he wanted to finish his career at Southwest High School,” Padgett said. “He came back with a goal to win a state championship. What a great legacy he leaves on the football field and at the school. I will never forget him, and I know our staff won’t.”

Padgett said the school plans on honoring Pershey in different ways, including making sure no one ever again wears his No. 12 football jersey.

It’s a fitting gesture.

“It was worn by a winner of a state championship,” Padgett said. “He deserves a lot more.”

Pershey, though, will always be a Southwest Stallion.

“All of the kids, they walk around and say ‘Once you’re a Stallion, you’re always a Stallion,’” Foster said. “Shak was very much involved in the school. He was one of the most spirited guys. He loved Southwest. He loved Southwest.”

Prep sports writer Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com or by calling 910-219-8472.